Serving Charles City, James City, New Kent, and York Counties, and the City of Williamsburg
Colonial SWCD Staff
Jim Wallace
District Manager
Jim returned to the Colonial SWCD in March 2016 after being away for several years. Jim brings with him a solid background in District operations and program implementation and is responsible for the day to day operations of this organization as District Manager.
Robyn Woolsey
Urban Conservationist
Robyn Woolsey, a native of Blacksburg, VA, graduated from Virginia Tech in 2015 with a degree in Environmental Science. Since graduating, Robyn has spent time in West Virginia on a forestry field crew, and in far Southwest Virginia working in environmental education and community outreach. Robyn joined the Colonial SWCD in November 2017 to help inspire and empower local youth and community members to become stewards of their environment, while promoting sustainable, community-driven urban conservation opportunities.
Logan Ellis
Conservation Specialist I
Logan is from Tappahannock, VA and is a 5th generation grain farmer with his father and uncle. Logan went to Virginia Tech and received his Associates in Agricultural Technologies and his Bachelors in Crop and Soil Science. Logan is passionate about conservation and has been lucky to be able to bring conservation BMP's onto his own farm. Logan is looking forward to serving the Colonial District and working directly with farmers toward a goal of cleaner waters and fertile soils.
Logan Ellis
Conservation Specialist I
Emma Rich
Conservation Technician
Emma joined the District in January 2023. A New England native, Emma moved south to assist with administration of the Virginia Agricultural Cost Share program as well as providing additional support to the District’s urban conservation programs. In 2019, Emma earned a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Maine. She looks forward to using her education and experience to serve the communities within the Colonial District.
Sheila Jaruseski
Office Coordinator
Sheila joined the district in November of 2015. She graduated from Illinois State University with a B. S. in Business Administration. Originally from the Midwest, Sheila came to Williamsburg in 2003 and has previously worked in the Williamsburg-James City County school system. In her current role, Sheila handles all administrative and financial tasks, as well as helping with Envirothon and educational programs.
Tabea Zimmermann
Conservation Specialist II
Tabea earned her BSc. in Environmental Science (2015) from Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA. She then worked on a biological research station in Costa Rica, where she managed a stream monitoring program and assisted with wildlife conservation and reforestation projects. More recently she was based in Zambia, where she lived in a rural community and collaborated with local farmers to promote and practice Conservation Agriculture techniques. Having recently joined the District in July 2019, Tabea will assist with administering the Virginia Agricultural Cost Share program. She looks forward to learning about the agriculture and conservation issues in this region while applying her professional and life experiences to the position.
Amanda Whispell
Outreach Specialist
Amanda joined the District in February 2023. Originally from Maine, but most recently from Pennsylvania, Amanda hails to us from a background in academia and research. She has her BS in Marine Biology and her PhD in entomology and an overall fondness for invertebrates. After completing her doctorate, Amanda spent a few years teaching organismal biology courses to undergraduate students at which point she learned that she really enjoys science outreach and public education. As such, a role that combines her artistic skills, teaching skills, and love for the environment is a perfect fit, so she is very excited about her position at CSWCD.
Bob Winters
Turf Love Program Assistant
Bob Winters came to the District in February 2019 to assist with managing the Turf Love program. Bob is one of the founders of Turf Love, and has been vital to its success over the past 20 years. As a Certified Nutrient Management Planner, Bob brings a wealth of knowledge of turfgrass management and conservation to the District.